Volkswagen AG and Continental Automotive Systems have agreed on a strategic partnership for the development and supply of power electronics for future hybrid projects. Volkswagen has also awarded a contract for a hybrid drive module, including the power electronics, to Continental Automotive Systems and ZF Friedrichshafen AG.

The power electronics unit controls the energy flow between the motor/generator and the energy storage, implementing commands such as electric driving, boost and regenerative braking in conjunction with the electric motor and battery.

In fulfilling the hybrid module order, Continental will provide the power electronics, while ZF Friedrichshafen will supply the electric motor, clutch and dual-mass flywheel.

We welcome this opportunity to be able to make a contribution to the further worldwide development of hybrid systems in this manner. Continental Automotive Systems sees hybrid drives as the right approach to a mobility developing away from internal combustion engines and the consumption of fossil fuels toward environmentally safe and dynamic driving. In this connection, we will specifically take advantage of the competence of Continental Automotive Systems in the areas of power electronics, electrical accessories, software integration, energy management and the electronic brake.

—Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, President of Continental Automotive Systems

Continental Automotive Systems, a division of Continental AG, and ZF Friedrichshafen AG formed a consortium in 2005 for the purpose of jointly developing and marketing hybrid vehicle technology for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. (Earlier post.)

This partnership with Volkswagen is the “first convincing outcome” of the consortium, according to Karlheinz Haupt, Manager of the Business Unit Electric Drives and Member of the Executive Board of Continental Automotive Systems.